Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:18
Verses chosen for reflection
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
Reflect
In the passage we just read, Paul talked about God's design on how we should live our daily life. One of the things which preoccupies our daily life is work. Yet, there are some in the church of Thessalonica that chose not to work; even when they could. They probably had the idea that since Jesus is coming back, there is no need to work.
On top of that, those who did not work were busybodies. This means that they used their free time (of not working) to mind other people's business. Hence causing distractions or frustrations to others who choose to work. Those who chose not to work also placed a financial burden on others. For if they do not work, others have to support them for food and other living expenses. Paul strongly suggested that this is not God's design for how we live life especially in the context of family and community.
So God's design is for all humans to work; unless that is not a possibility due to special circumstances. All humans should work to least support themselves and hence not be a burden to others. Or some home make in order to support their spouse at work. This is also valid work. This is the same for children who grow up to be of age to work. They are not to remain idle. Study is also a form of work.
The whole idea is that we should not be idling our time away as that will be against God's design. We should not idle our time away and be a burden to others. Sooner or later, we will feel empty and frustrated with our very existence. Not only will we not contribute to the community; we become a source of trouble to others.
Relate
For the majority of people staying in a city state like Singapore, we do not really have problems with working or not working when we have to. The problem is more on whether we over-work or not working as much as we should. Work is God's design for humans. We are not created to laze around while waiting for God to feed us. Instead, we are supposed to find joy and fulfilment in the work that God has given to us. No matter if it is a temporal arrangement. No matter if it is something that does not really stir our passion. When we are given work, we do it well and with integrity. We give thanks for the work that God has given.
On the other hand, some of us tend to over-work. We have the tendency to do more than we should. Some might find this comment peculiar since the popular understanding is that "isn't being hardworking suppose to be good?"
Yes, having integrity to work well is definitely a good thing. But I am not talking about the quantity of work but more so of the priority of work vis-a-vis other things in our lives. In the name of woking hard, we might prioritise work over some other relationships which we should be spending more time on.
Like relationship with God, our spouse, our children and people whom we should be having a conversation with. Work sometimes become a hiding place or a sanctuary within which we find our comfort and identity. When we allow ourselves to work in this manner, work can become a idol and replace our worship of God.
If I were to compare my current workload with what I was doing in the corporate world; I cannot say which one was more intensive. However, the current scope does involve more teams and boards to manage. It is therefore easy to tell myself since I have so much work, it is OK for me to spend a large amount of time on it in relative to all other areas of my life. Yet, this is not how God wants me to work. Yes I should not be idle. Yet at the same time, I should not place my work as my top priority over all other relationships and matters.
What is of top priority is to grow my relationship with the One who gives me the work and listen to His voice on how I should be working. I should not do it the other way round. Work first and then see whether I can apportion some time for God and family. This is not God's design.
Rest
Lord, help me to do what is right with the work You have given to my hands. This is so that when I am working or resting, Your Name is glorified. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Jason
Comments
Post a Comment